Draft gear operation recorder



Aug. l23, 1932.

H. r. KRAKAU DWT GEAR OPERATIQN Reconnu Aug. 23, 1932,. H. 1'. KRAKAU DRAFT -GBAR OPERATION RECORDER y Filed nay 1s. 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 kw@ NQ, Qn. @um wm. .fsw AN um xm. 81@

Au'g. 23, 1932.. H. 1'. KRAKAU 1,872,977

DRAFT GEAR OPERATION RECORDER Filed ugy 16. 1929 4 sheets-sheet s llgz Aug. 23, 1932.

H. T. KRAKAU DRAFT GEAR OPERATION RECORDERA Filed 16, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 OGGOOGGOOO V w mi y h @vw n -...Qma O O O Q O O G O 0 O I t N Y I 0 0 Patented Aug. 23, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT" OFFICE HARRY T. KRAKAU, OF BRATENAHL, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL MALLEAI-BLE & STEEL CASTINGS COMPANY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO DRAFT GEAR OPERATION RECORDER Application led Hay 16, 1929. Serial No. y363,428.

This invention is concerned with the provision of means for recording the movements of draft gear or a number of gears. One of the objects of the invention is to provide means which may be employed to show effectively the performance of dra-ft gear under actual service conditions. lVhile heretofore attempts have been made to obtain a record of draft gear performance under conditions of lo service, the mechanisms for this purpose have been designed to measure the movements of the coupler. This is unsatisfactory because of the slack in the draft system and also because of the necessity of introducing corrections due to angling of the coupler on curves. Also the mechanism heretofore employed have involved movement of a recording element in one direction through a cable connected to the coupler and 1n the opposite 2o direction by a spring, with the result that movement of the recording element commensurate with the movements of the coupler has not been positively insured. One of the features of my invention resides in the provision of means controlled by the draft gear itself for providing the yrecord of the movements of the gear. Another feature comprises the provision of positive means for shifting a recording element in both directions. The invention further includes the provision of compensating means whereby the proper setting of the recording element is insured despite bodily lateral shifting of the gear. In addition, my invention comprises means whereby the movements of the gear both in draft and in buff may be automatically, continuously, andv accurately rec'orded upon a chart, with the result that an authentic record may be obtained of the perform nce 40 of the gear under-all conditions throug out any desired length of run.

Another feature of my invention resides in the provison of means whereby the records of plurality of draft gears, such as thoseat the respective ends of a car or on separate cars may be accurately coordinated. In this connection I provide means whereby the operator at desired times, as when passing mile posts, may cause all charts to be suitably marked simultaneously, so that the readings of any` chart corresponding to any particular time may be readily compared with the reading of the other charts for that time. From these markings, moreover, the indications of any chart may be superimposed on the others. The invention also contemplates means whereby the readings of the draft gear charts may be coordinated with the readn of drawbar pull, speed, or other records o tained in a dynamometer car. More paro ticularly, the devices for recording movements of draft gears may be mounted on cars forming part of a train containin a dynamometer car, wherein are locate the customary mechanisms for recording drawbar 55 pull, speed, brake pipe pressure, etc. A feature of my invention resides in the provision of means for signalling the operator of the dynamometer car whenever an identifying mark, corresponding for example to a mile 79 post, is made on one or more of the draft gear charts. The operator of the dynamometer car may then place a mark on his chart identifying the readings corresponding to that time, or such mark may be made automatically at the same time as the mark on the draft gear chart, as will be hereinafter set forth more speclfically. The correlation of the readings of the chart in the dynamometer car with those of the draft gear charts en- 30 ables the ready transfer to va common chart of the records of draft gear performance and desired records obtained i'n said dynamometer car; so that at a glance the relation, for example, of draft gearmovements to drawbar pull or train speed may be seen fpom a sin le chart.

ther features and objects of the invention will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings: 00

Y Fig. 1 is a plan view showing apparatus embodying my invention connected to a draft gear for recording the movements thereof.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the mechanism of Fig. 1, with certain parts in section.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a detail.

Fig. 4 is a view of a further detail on the plane indicated by line IV--IV of Fig.

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are vertical sectional views on an enlarged scale taken on lines V-V, VI-VI, and VII-VIL respectively, of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a view of a whereon the movements o been recorded.

Fig. 9 is a view showing a chart whereon records of draft gear movements have been superimposed in proper relation to records of drawbar pull, speed, etc.

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic view of a signalling system providing for the ready correlation of the readings of different charts.

Referring t0 the drawings the numeral 5 designates a portion of the fioor of a car, beneath which is shown a draft gear of standard design including a wedge or front follower 7 and a rear follower 6. As will be understood, the follower members (i and 7 are movable relatively to each other; follower 6 moving toward member 7 in pull, and member 7 moving toward follower 6 in bud.

In carrying out my invention I secure to the respective draft gear members 6 and 7, as by brazing or otherwise, projections 8 and 9 which projections extend through slots 10, 11, respectively, cut through the floor 5. An extension 8 of the projection or stud 8 passes through and is secured to the rear end of a. longitudinally shiftable bar 12, as shown in Fig. 5. Said bar is provided in its forward portion with an elongated slot 13 in to which is slidably fitted an elongated bearing piece 9 through which passes an extension 9 of stud 9 as shown in Figs. 1, 3 andi. Said extension 9" of stud 9 forms a pivot for a link 14, while a similar link 15 is pivotally mounted on a stud 12 fastened to the bar 12. Said links 14, 15, in turn are pivotally connected at their other ends to a head 16 (Fig. 6) slidably mounted in slot 17 in a cross arm 18. Flange members 19, 20, respectively, may be interposed between the respective links 14, 15, and the opposite sides of the head 16, said flange members overlying and bearing upon the upper and lower surfaces, respectively, of the cross arm 18 as indicated in Fig. 6. Cross arm 18 is pivotally connected at one portion of a chart a draft gear have end, 21, to a block 22 while at its other end said arm is pivoted to a head piece 23 slidable in a longitudinal groove 24 in the laterally extended portion 12 of the bar 12. The head piece 23 may be slidably fitted in the groove 24 by means of gibs 25 on opposite sides of said groove engaging corresponding channels 26 in said head piece.

From the foregoing construction it will be seen that upon movement of either of the draft gear members 6, 7 the head 23 will be shifted correspondingly. Thus, if the draft gear member 7 moves toward member 6, as occurs when the gear is operated in buff, the bar 12 is held against longitudinal movement by the stud 8, which is now stationary. The stud 9 and piece 9, however, more rearwardly in the slot 13, and actuate the links 14, 15, turning the link 15 around its pivot 12', and, through the head 16, swinging the cross bar rearwardly through an extent commensurate with the movement of said draft gear member 7 and stud 9. Arm 18 in turn transmits this movement to head 23 and shifts the latter rearwardly a corresponding amount in the groove 24. Upon the return of said member 7 and stud 9 to normal position, the links 14, 15, arm 18, and head 23 are likewise restored to their normal position (shown in Fig. 1).

lVhen the draft gear member 6 moves toward member 7 as occurs when the draft gear is operated in pull, the bar 12 is moved forwardly, being connected to said member (i through the stud 8. At this time, the member 7 and stud 9 are. stationary, and the element 9, in cooperation with the slot 13, serves to guide the bar 12 in its longitudinal movement. As said bar moves. the link 15, head 16, and link 14 are operated correspondingly, said link 14 turning about. its pivot on the lug 9, and the head 16 swinging the cross arm 18'forwardly about its pivot 21. Head 23 being connected to arm 18 is thereby shifted forwardly a distance commensurate with the movement of said arm, or, in other words, with the extent of movement of stud 8 and draft gear member 6. Figure 3 shows the parts shifted forwardly as above described as the result of movement of draft gear member 6. lVhen said member and stud return to normal the bar 12, links 14, 15, arm 18` and head 23 likewise return to normal position.

It may be noted that the pivot block 22 is slidably mounted in guideways 27. This permits the pivot 21 to move slightly longitudinally in order to enable the arm 18 to move head 23 freely in the groove 24. Also, the slidable mounting of the block 22 permits the link 18, head 23, bar 12. and associated links 14, 15. to move laterally as a unit in case the draft gear elements should he shifted bodily laterally. as sometimes occurs in train operation; and the proper relationship of said parts for n'ioving the head 23 longitudinally in accordance with the longitudinal movements of the gear members 6 and 7 is thus preserved.

Means are provided for recording the longitudinal movements of the head 23, whereby a record of the movements of the draft ear in pull and in buff is produced. For t is purpose I employ a traveling chart 30 which may be driven by a clockwork mechanism in the casing 31. Said driving mechanism maybe of any suitable well-known or conventional type. The casing 31 may be mounted in a frame comprising a base portion 32 and upwardly extending arms 33, 34, said frame being secured lto the floor 5 in any convenient manner as by screws. The casing 31 may be readily secured to said frame through a yoke 35 embracing the arms 33, 34, and through brackets 36, 36 fastened to the base 32. Slidably mounted in bearings in the upper ends of the arms 33, 34 is a rod 38 which carries a recording or markin element such as a pencil 39. The latter 1s shown clamped in a bracket 40 which may be adj usted tov any desired position along the rod 38 and secured in such position by bolt 41 and nut 42 (Fig. 2). By adjustment of said bracket the pencil may be brought manually into any desired position crosswise of the chart 30. A suitable bar or support 30 may be mounted within the casing 31 and extend below the chart 30 and pencil 39, thereby providing a writing table for supporting the respective portions of the chart as they are marked by the pencil, as will be readily understood.

For transmitting the movements of the draft gear members to the pencil 39 I connect the rod 38 with the head 23 through means which may take the following form. Secured to said rod is a downwardly extending arm 43. A rod 44 fastened at one end to the stationary arm 34 projects through ra bearing 45 on the arm 43 and serves to guide the latter. Said arm 43 may be connected with an upwardly projecting extension 46 on the head 23 through the medium of a turnbuckle 47. As shown in Fig. 7, a bolt 48 having a threaded head 49 is secured to the lower `end of arm 43, the head of said bolt being recessed to provide a seat 50 for the spherical end 51 of turn-buckle screw 52. An internally threaded cap member 53 having a seat 54 for the aforesaid spherical end or ,ball 51 is rotatable thereon and is adapted to be threaded upon the bolt head 49 as shown, whereby said spherical end 51 is retained between the seats 50, 54. A similar bolt 48 is secured to extension 46 of head 23 and is adapted to have secured thereto a cap 53 whereby the spherical end 51 of turn-buckle screw 52 is held seated between said bolt and said cap. The screws 52, 52 pass through apparatus may occur in response to similar.

movement of the draft gear. The turnbuckle 47 enables the arm 43 and head 23 to be readily adjusted to regulate the distance therebetween as desired. Screws 56, 56 are adapted to be passed through the arm 43 and extension 46, respectively, and into notches in thevrespec'tive caps 53, 53 to lock said caps against unthreading from the associated bolts 48, 48. Caps 53, 53 may be knurled to facilitate manipulation thereof as shown in Fig. 1.

As shown in Fig. 8 the chart 30 is provided 'with a datum or zero line and may be suitably graduated on either side of said line so that the extent of the draft gear travel both in pull and in buff may be accurately read therefrom. The chart may also be provided with lines or graduations 58 running crosswise thereof and indicating time intervals. For example, the space between two consecutive lines 58 may correspond to a period of five minutes. y

The operation of the foregoing structure may be summarized as follows: With the draft gear in idle or unoperated condition the pencil 39is adjusted along rod 38 so that its point coincides with the datum line on the chart 30. The clockwork mechanism for driving the chart may then be set in operation, the chart being thereby driven longitudinally at a constant rate. In operation of the draft gear in pull, the draft gear member 6 moves toward member 7, and, through the head 23 and connections to rod 38, the pencil 39 is moved correspondingly crosswise of the chart and to an extent commensurate with the movement of said member 6; the pencil returning to normal position on the datum line when the member 6 returns to normal. When the draft gearis operated in buif,'the member 7 moves toward the member 6, and through the head 23 and rod 38, the pencil'39 is operated a commensurate extent; the direction of movement of said pencil from the datum line being opposite to that in which it moved in response to operation of the draft gear in pull. lVhen member 7 returns to normal the pencil 39 returns into coincidence with the ldatum or zero line on the chart. In this way it will be seen that there is produced on the chart 30 an accurate record of the direction and'extent of movements of the draft gear members, thus portraying clearly the action of the draft gear. A portion of the chart 30 is shown in Figure 8 wherein, as will readily beseen, the heavy line 59 indicates thel movements of the gear in buff and in pull.

If it be desired to record the operationof a plurality of draft gears such'as the two draft gears atthe respective ends of a car or on separate cars, a plurality of charts and corresponding recording apparatus may be employed, one for each gear. I provide means whereby these records may be accurately coordinated with eachother, and also, if desired, with a record obtained/'in a dynamometer car which may form part of the same train. In the dynamometer car it is customary to obtain records of different operations during the trip, such as locomotive f-rawbar pull, train speed, and brake pipe pressure. Through the means which I have provided one or more of the records of draft gear movements may be accurately correlated with the records of. the dynamometer car so that all the different records may be included in a single chart in appropriate relation to each other. In carrying out this portion of my invention, I provide for the giving of a signal by an operator at desired times, such as when passing mile posts, causing the charts to be marked simultaneously. Various types of apparatus may be employed for this purpose. For example, I have shown mounted on the casing 3l a signal apparatus comprising a magnet GO (Fig. IO) which magnet when energized attracts an armature 61 on a lever arm G2 provided with a sharp pricking portion 2. As shown in Fig. 10 apparatus of this character may be provided in conjunction with each of the draft gear charts. and placed under the control of an operator through the medium of key 64. IVhenever a mile post is passed the operator may operate the key 64 to close the circuit. through the magnets GO whereby the pricking levers 62 are simultaneously actuated and their respective draft gear charts pricked simultaneously. As shown in Fig. l..

the pricking point G3 of lever GQ is preferably loc-ated in line with the pencil 39 so that the draft gear movement at the time of passing any mile post may be readily ascertained. The various prick or punch markings are indicated at in Figs. 8 and 9. Through said marks it will be evident that the records of the movements of each draft gear may be, readily correlated with each other and applied toa single chart in proper coordinated relation as has been done in Fig. 9. Also, there may be included in circuit with the key 64 and magnets 60 a signal apparatus adjacent the recording chart in the d vnamon'ieter car. Such apparatus is indicated at G6 in Fig. 10 and may be similar to the apparatus above described in connection with the draft gear charts, .so that a punch or prick point is made in the dynamometer chart whenever a mile. post is passed, and at the same time as similar marks are made on the draft gear charts. The marking of the dynamometer car chart in correlation with the draft gear charts is particularly desirable in view of the fact that the dynamometer car chart is usually driven b v the movement of the car and not by clockwork. The signal apparatus of the dynamometer car may also include a bell GT which rings at the time the circuit is closed by operation of key 6i. If desired'. the automatic marking device may be omitted in the dynamometer'car and instead the ringing of the bell alone relied upon, whereby the operator or attendant in the dynamometer car may place a mark on the chart at the time of the ringing of the bell. Thus, the dynamometer .car records may be accurately correlated with the records of the draft gear movements, thereby enabling, as in Fig. 9, the transposition of all such records upon a common chart in proper relationship to each other. A record of draft gear performance in its relation to locomotive draw bar pull, train speed, etc., is thus obtained.

The key 64 may be positioned adjacent one of the draft gear recorders or at any other desired or convenient point. It may, for example, alternatively be positioned for operation by the attendant in the dynamometer Car. Also it will be evident that alarm devices such as bell (57 may be included in the circuit adjacent the draft gear recording charts to notify attendants adjacent the charts of the times when identifying or correlating markings should be applied thereto; in which case the automatic marking devices (5U-63 may, if desired, be omitted and the attendants relied upon to mark the appropriate designations. rl`he key (il may, of course, be depressed at various times other than in passing mile posts, such as when an emergency application of the brakes is effected.

Inasmuch as the chart 30 is preferablyy moved at a comparatively slow rate (the paper in practice being frequently driven at the rate of one inch in tive minutes) it is ditiicult to ascertain whether or not the clockwork chartdriving mechanism is in act-ion. This I have obviated by providing an aperture 68 in the top of the casing 31, which aperture may be covered with glass and through which the clockwork mechanism may be observed. The active or inactive condition of the clock- Awork mechanism may thus be readily ascertained.

rl`he terms and expressions which I have employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and I have no intention, in the use of such terms and expressions, of excluding any mechanical equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but recognize that various structural modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed.

That I claim is:

1. Apparatus for recording draft gear movements, said apparatus comprising recording means, means connected to the draft gear for operation thereby, and means whereby the second mentioned means controls the transmission of the movements of the draft gear to said recording means.

Q. In an apparatus for recording draft gear movements, means shiftable in one direction by operation of the gear in pull and in another direction by operation of the gear in buff, and recording means controlled by the rst mentioned means for recording the movements of the draft gear.

3. In an apparatus for recording draft gear movements, an element occupyin a given normal position when the gear is idle, means connecting said element with said gear whereby said element is shifted in one direction from normal position in response to movement of the gear in pull and in another direction from said normal position in response' to movement of the gear in bud, and means connected to said element for recording said movements of the gear.

4. In an apparatus for recording draft gear movements, recordingmeans, means connected to the draft gear for operation thereby in response to movement of the ear in buil' and in pull, and means controlle by the second mentioned means for causing corresponding movement of said recording means.

5. In an apparatus for recording the movements of a pair of relativel movable draft gear members, an element a apted to be connected to one of said members, an element adapted to be connected to the other of said members, and recording means 'ointly controlled by said elements and shi able thereby in directions corresponding to the movements of said members and through extents commensurate with said movements.

6. In an apparatus for recording the movements of a pair of relativel movable draft gear members',a bar adapte to be connected to one of said members, a link adapted to be connected to the other of said members, a second link connected to the first mentioned link and to said bar, an element shiftable through the joint action of said links, and a recording member controlled b said element.

7. In an apparatus for recor ing the movements of a pair of relativel movable draft gear members, a bar adapte to be connected to one of said members, a link adapted to be connected with the other of said members, a secondvlink connected to the first mentioned link and to said bar, and recording means jointl controlled by said links.-

8. n an apparatus for recording the movements of a pair of relatively movable draft gear members, a plurality of interconnected links shiftable by'movement of said members, and recording means jointly controlled by said links.

9. In an apparatus for recording the movements of a pair of relatively movable draft gear members,A a bar adapted to be connected lto one of said members and f provided withl an elongated slot, an element adapted to be, connected to the other of said members and guided by said slot, and recording means Lointly controlled by said element and said ar. t 10. .In an apparatus for l'recording the movements of ya pair of relatively movable draft gear members, a bar adapted to be l connected to one of said members and provided with an elon ted slot, a link adapted to be connectedto t e other of said members through means projecting through said slot, a second link connected to the first mentioned link and to said bar, and recording means jointly controlled by said links.

11. In an apparatus for recording the movements of a pair of relatively movable draft gear members, a longitudinally shiftable element, recording means connected to said element, a pivotally mounted element connected to said longitudinally movable element and provided with a slot, and means comprising a plurality of interconnected links cooperatin with said slot for causing operation of sai recording means in accordance with the movements of the draft gear members. l

12. A paratus for recording the movements ofj a pair of relatively movable draft gear members, comprising, in combination a recording element, and means connecting said members and said element for causing movement of said elementin directions corresponding to the movements of said members and through extents commensurate with said movements.

13. In an apparatus for recording theY movements of a pair of relatively movable draft gear members, a continuously driven chart, a recording element, shiftable means connected to said element and comprising a slidably mounted member, and means comprising a plurality of interconnected links and a pivoted member controlled thereby for shifting said rst mentioned means in ac-` cordance with the movements of said draft gear members.

14. In 'an' apparatus for recording the movements of a pair of relatively movable draft gear members, a recording element means responsive to movement of either o said members for shifting said recording elelment through a corresponding extent, and means for preventing bodily lateral movement of the draft gear from interfering with the shifting of said recording element.

15. Apparatus yfor recording draft gear movements, said apparatus comprising recording means, and means comprising a leverage system connected to the draft gear l,whereby movements of the draft gear are transmitted to said recording means.

f 16. Apparatus for recording draft gear movements, said apparatus comprising refcording means, and positive lmeans comprising a plurality of levers whereby the movements of the draft gear are transmitted to said recording means.

17. In 'an apparatus for recording draft gear movements, recording means, and means positively connecting said recording means with said draft gear whereby movements of the gear in buff and in pull causes corresponding movement of said recording means. 18. Apparatus for recordin the operation of a draft gear in conditions o? actual service, said apparatus comprising recording means, and means comprising a system of levers connected to the draft gear members and operated thereby for continuously and automatically transmitting to said recording means 13 the movements of the draft gear members both in buff and in pull irrespective of angling movements of the car coupler associated with said draft gear.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my 15 name to this specification this 10th day of May, 1929.

HARRY T. KRAKA.

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